Rachana: What next?
Kumar: When he goes to her in heightened anticipation, she would introduce her mother-in-law who supposedly came on an unscheduled visit. Having proved her intent to grant him, she would fleece him before a couple of repeats give her game away to him. When she picks up a new prey, the wounded keeps mum for fear of being ridiculed. It went on for a year before she was exposed. But before that, she induced Diwakar’s predecessor to sanction a departmental loan of two lakhs and stand guarantee for her. And the matter is in the court now.
Rachana: But who belled the cat.
Kumar: I don’t believe in being boastful.
Rachana: I thought you are a gentleman.
Kumar: What if I’m a ladies man.
Rachana: It’s shameful being a married man.
Kumar: How women bemoan if marriage turns man into half a man.
Rachana: There is no winning an argument with you.
Kumar: Why, you are a wonderful conversationalist.
Rachana: What’s her name?
Kumar: Who’s name, my wife’s or the one I crave.
Kumar: Mind the tense, Mr.?
Kumar: She is ever evocative.
Rachana: Oh, you are impossible.
Kumar: But I do see possibilities.
Rachana: [Smiles.] Won’t the soft-pedaling be harder on women than the hard sell?
Kumar: How am I to know?
Rachana: Wait till I figure it out.
[The clock (not in the scene) strikes five and they get ready to go.]
[Enter: Diwakar and he talks to Kumar and Rachana (mime). He goes into his chamber, picks up his briefcase and lunch box and comes out. Kumar too picks up his briefcase and lunch box while Rachana keeps her lunch boxes in her handbag.]
[Exit: The three of them. Curtains down.]
Scene – 10
[Curtains up: Split setting of the office of Bricks & Bats. In the conference room [right portion] Naveen, Manager, Materials, is deposing before the Complaints Committee on the sexual harassment at the workplace [mime]. In the left portion is Divya.]
[Enter: Navya and goes to the reception desk.]
Navya: Miss, I’m Navya from MAWAH. I would like to meet your Managing Director.
Divya: Well he is out of station and is expected only the next week..
Navya: [Hands over her business card.] I am from a NGO dealing with sexual harassment at the workplace. Maybe I can see the Personnel manager.
Divya: [Divya glances at Navya’s business card.] What a coincidence! Right now the Complaints Committee is hearing a case.
Navya: Oh, really. Is there anyone from a NGO?
Divya: I don’t think so.
Navya: Then why not send my card to the concerned person.